If you are not happy with your ABA provider or are just starting to explore ABA, let me tell you why an independent BCBA may actually be better.

High turn over, new staff, and company rules or protocols make ABA so difficult. There are options out there. Time is precious, make it count with an experienced and independent BCBA!

I’ve been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2011 and the field is changing, but not enough to support actual neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-based strategies. As an industry, we need to understand our impact and listen to those that have received ABA first hand. Only then, can we move forward and change for the better.

People that are opposed to ABA but only say “ABA is bad” do nothing to actually help change the industry. If we can pinpoint the specific issues, then things can change.

After almost 15 years in ABA, I have encountered a few clients who did not respond to “traditional ABA” - prompting, clear directions, etc. These clients exhibited a heightened reaction to seemingly simple requests from others - extreme refusal, inconsistent triggers, potential for aggression or other potentially harmful or destructive behaviors. They learned quickly, but what they grasped the fastest was how to say or do things to trigger others, make them uncomfortable, or to make the interaction so difficult that the other person would back down from the request. Although they had a relatively large vocabulary, they did not use it to request the things they needed or wanted, what they were thinking or how they felt. The behaviors were always intense but not always consistent with triggers or what they looked like. The behaviors were always intense but not consistently linked to specific triggers or appearances. In fact, issues such as school refusal, reluctance to complete grooming or medical needs, and difficulties in interactions with others often worsened over time. These behaviors frequently caused other family members to tread carefully, never knowing what might trigger one of these behavioral episodes, which could last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

This is a recipe for stress for parents and children. There are some strategies that can be used by parents of neurotypical and neurodivergent children which is great where there are siblings in the picture. Try some or all of these strategies and see what works for you. 

It can be a fine line when working with different providers. OT and ABA may be working on skills related to daily living. Speech and ABA may be working on increasing communication and social skills. It can be difficult to understand who is responsible for what. 

This often leads to finger pointing between the providers and then frustration for you since no one will work on it. When some insurance companies see “autism” on the chart, they assume ABA is the best way to work on it even if another provider may actually have better training in that specific area. To prevent confusion for your child, it is important for the providers to work on things in a similar way but having one discipline responsible for the goal is important so there is one provider that is leading the goal.  If you are getting different answers from different providers, bring up the idea of a team meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page. 

While not a hard rule, over time working in schools and with other providers, these are typically the lines I keep in mind. Ultimately, ABA, Speech, OT, school, etc should all be working with you and answering your questions as well as open to collaborating with each other in the best interest of your child. 

The number on everyone's mind is “40”. Based on a study by Lovas (get article/reference), the ABA gold standard was 40 hours per week. I have even received a Doctor’s prescription that specified this number without direct support as to why it was recommended, and without the doctor having a background or understanding of ABA. 

After years in this field, it would be a very rare occasion that I would actually recommend this in a home-based or center-based program, especially if the child is in school or another service. 

With numerous ABA companies claiming to be the best or the most innovative, it can be quite challenging to identify a provider that aligns with your family's needs. Once you have selected a suitable provider, an important consideration will be the location of the sessions.

Each setting—whether it be in-home, center-based, community-based (such as schools, daycare, or afterschool programs), or via telehealth—has distinct advantages and disadvantages. This article will examine some of the most common benefits and challenges associated with these various locations. As with any service, it is essential to approach this process with due diligence; while a company may present information in a favorable light, it is crucial for you to conduct thorough research and engage as an informed participant.

For children up to around the age of five, including neurotypical children, experiencing approximately one tantrum per day is considered typical. Neurodivergent children of the same age may have several tantrums or an average of one tantrum per day. Therefore, expecting these children to have zero tantrums on a consistent basis is unrealistic, particularly over extended periods. This can be especially challenging for first-time or only parents who may not have prior experiences to reference when looking at what might be ‘normal’.

While not surprising at this point, I often find myself caught off guard when a parent is resistant to their child using headphones in situations where they feel overwhelmed. I'm not even suggesting that they wear them for any specific amount of time; rather, just having the headphones available if the child needs them raises objections. Frequently, parents are concerned about how the child will "look" with headphones on or worry that the child will become dependent on them. This perception is often far from the truth. By providing such accommodations, it is possible for your child to engage in and enjoy an activity rather than internalizing and trying not to cry when the class becomes loud during a game. 

With ABA waitlists becoming increasingly longer, many parents are concerned about what they can do now to help their child. They want to know if there are any steps they can take before sessions begin to facilitate a smoother transition. While no two situations are identical, here are some general tips:

Hand flapping, turning in circles, body rocking, singing, and other actions are often misunderstood. For years, these behaviors, and others like them, have been discouraged in some situations. These actions help individuals by expressing their excitement, directing excess energy, and blocking out aversive stimuli in their environment. In short, these behaviors serve to meet their needs. If we do not allow stimming, it can lead to other problems, such as becoming so focused on suppressing these behaviors that individuals fail to pay attention to what is actually happening around them, or experiencing a buildup of energy that eventually explodes at another time.